Cabinet shelf



Oct. 29, 1957 R. E. MOORE ETAL 2,311,407

CABINET SHELF Filed June 18, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ROBERT E. MOORE PAUL A.

ZIMMERMAN F\RANCIS A. NOLL ATTORNEY 1957 R. E. MOORE ETAL ,811,407

' CABINET SHELF Filed June 18, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PIG 72 INVENTOR 4| I ee 78 ROBERT E. MOORE 74 PAUL A. ZIMMERMAN L 5 73 i FRANCIS A. NOLL a s m :67 MM ATTORNEY Oct. 1957 R. E. MOORE ETAL CABINET SHELF 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 18, 1956 INVENTOR ROBERT E. MOORE PAUL A. ZIMMERMAN FRANCIS A. NOLL ATTORNEY 2,81 1,407 Patented Oct. 29, 1957 CABINET SHELF Robert E. Moore and lh-ancis A. Noll, Cedar Rapids, and Paul A. Zimmerman, Amana, Iowa, assignors to Arnana Refrigeration, Inc., Amana, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application June 18, 1956, Serial No. 592,114

7 Claims. (Cl. 312- 351) This invention generally relates to a refrigerator shelf and support therefor, and more particularly to a slidable refrigerator shelf which is also a removable one.

Heretofore there have been numerous types and kinds of sliding shelves and particularly sliding shelves for use in a refrigerator cabinet. Perhaps the most common of these structures in the prior art consists of a pair of tracks horizontally disposed on the side walls of the interior of a refrigerator cabinet with suitable rollers attached to the edges of the shelf and which are movable within the tracks. There were other less elaborate structures also adjustable. These prior devices were frequently unsightly in appearance and in addition to this undesirable aesthetic feature often resulted in unsatisfactory operation. It is not unusual for the sliding shelves in the prior art to bind or become temporarily wedged if the shelf is pulled outwardly from the cabinet at any point other than the approximate front center of the shelf. This is especially true if the shelf is supporting a number of comparatively heavy objects such as, for instance, bottles of milk and other heavy bulk items. If a shelf laden with food hecomes stuck in operation it is sometimes necessary to give it a sharp blow to again cause it to move freelythis often results in the undesirable displacement of food from the shelf itself. In addition to the lack of aesthetic quality and the lack of proper operation, prior art structures, because of their very nature, are manufactured so that the portions which slide relative to each other are fabricated very loosely in an efiort to insure a sufiicient tolerance for sliding association. This results in an assembly of rails, sliding shelf, and rollers which rattle and produce noise,v giving the appearance of a poorly designed and assembled product.

The shelf and support structure which comprises this invention is designed for use, in a relatively deep cabinet where it is desirable to have a shelf which may be partially withdrawn from the compartment to provide easy accessibility to all foods stored on the particular shelf. Our shelf in its preferred embodiment and the assembly therefor is so constructed and arranged to eliminate the use of tracks on the side walls of a refrigerator cabinet interior and also the necessity for rollers or wheels along the sides of the shelf itself. The shelf slides easily and noiselessly even when fully loaded with a supply of food. The force necessary to pull the shelf outwardly from its position within the cabinet may be applied at either extreme front corner or at any point along the front edge of the shelf. The shelf will slide easily and without binding or wedging regardless of the point of application of the force. 7

Our sliding shelf andsupport system is comprised of a substantially flat rectangular shelf for positioning within a refrigerator cabinet. In any position the shelf is supported by three points on the bottom side; namely, at the center rear of the shelf and at both ends of the shelf near the front edge. An additional pair of supports are disposed on the opposite side walls of the cabinet above the shelf and exert a downward force along the ends of the shelf when it is in an extended position. These supports are made from nylon or other suitable synthetic materials such that they provide a reasonably snug fit with the sliding shelf and yet do not hinder its freedom of movement. The shelf support at the central rear portion is attached to the rear wall of the cabinet and is comprised of an elongated member which extends forwardly through a guide member and under the sliding shelf. It is this construction which serves as a guide and which assists in preventing the shelf from wedging or binding when it is withdrawn from or inserted into the refrigerator cabinet. In addition only one of the lateral shelf supports under the forward side edge is provided with a groove into which the edge of the shelf slidably mounts. The opposite support presents only a flat smooth bearing surface to the opposite shelf end. Since the shelf supports are mounted in the side walls of the interior of the cabinet it is readily apparent that this combination of structure provides for greater manufacturing tolerances during the fabrication and assembly processes. Thus even when the liner is of varying width a proper fit is assured because one end edge of the sliding shelf mounts in the groove of the shelf support and the opposite end edge is not restricted in its lateral movement since it rests only on a smooth bearing surface which is presented by the opposite shelf support. By comparing this feature and construction with those prior art structures in which the rollers mounted on the ends of the shelf are captive within a horizontal track it is to be expected that bulging of liner side walls would cause binding of the shelf during operation whereas in the structure disclosed by our invention there cannot possibly be any binding or wedging because of lateral variation in the position of the liner side walls. In addition the support system is so combined that the shelf during operation and in any position or adjustment is both horizontally and vertically maintained.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved sliding and removable shelf for a refrigerator or similar cabinet.

It is another object to provide a support structure for a sliding shelf which eliminates the possibility of binding during operation because of distortion of the freezer cabinet liner.

It is still a further object of our invention to provide a shelf which is maintained in both horizontal and vertical alignment at all times by means of lateral supports and a central guide support member,

It is yet another object to provide an equally strong supported shelf when in the extended position.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a support member which is in combination a vertical support, a horizontal and vertical guide, and is also the means by which the shelf is limited in its outward displacement.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a removable and slidable refrigerator shelf and support structure therefor which is pleasing in appearance, economical, and easy to manufacture.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary horizontal cross section of a refrigerator cabinet showing a top plan view of our invention positioned therein;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the shelf in the extended position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the shelf and support system with a portion of the shelf edge broken away; I

Figure 4 is a partial cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross section taken on line S- -5 of Figure l;

13 with thermal insulation 14 between theliner 12' andthe outer. shell, (not shown) of the refrigerator cabinet 10.. It is also contemplated, that the cabinet. would. be. provided with a. suitable. door for closing the. access opening 11 and. thatthe food compartment 13 would be cooled to; a. suitable predetermined temperature by means. of a. conventional refrigerationsystem which would include a compressor,- a condenser, and an evaporator operatiyely. connected. This conventional refrigeration system is hermetically sealed andis charged with a Freon or other suitable refrigerant. The shelf 15 and support structure which in combination constitutes this invention is particularly constructed for use in a refrigerator cabinet 10. However our invention may be used with. equal. facility in any. type of cabinet Where it is desired to make the contents more easily accessible.

The shelf 15 is. substantially fiat and rectangular and is. rigidified by a single channel frame 16. on; each. of theends17 and 18 and at the back edge 19.. The. front edge: 20: of the. shelf 15 is defined. by a reinforcing and decoratiye'channel 21- whichis securedto the. frame 16 on the ends 17 and 18 of the shelf: 15. The channel 21. is, of; course, U'-shaped in cross. section as shown in Figure 5 with the. front leg 22: and rear leg 23 extending downwardly and. with. the bight 24' presenting a comparatively smooth flat surface 25 from a top view of' the. shelf 15. A number of small rods. or wires 26 extend from: the backedge 19 to the front edge 20 of the shelf 15 and are rigidly secured'tothe frame 16- and tothe front channel 21. The rods 26 are substantially parallelto each other and'to the ends 17and' 18. They are sufliciently close together to provide aplatform or support for foods to-be stored on the shelf, yet sufficient- 1y. far apart as indicatedby spaces 27 topermit air to circulate through the shelf and also to'provide' for the more efficient illumination of the entire interior-of the cabinet 10. This construction particularly permits light topass toother areaswhich are on the opposite side of thelight source. The frame 16 is a onepiece channel member and like the frontchannel 21- is- U-shaped in cross section. As best shown in Figures 4 and S the bight 28 extends verticallyaround the shelf. 15; with a top flange 29 and a bottom flange 30, forming the legs ofthe U, extendinghorizontallyQ The structure of the shelf just described is well' knownin the prior art.

A guide 31-, made of a plastic nylon, or other suitable material, is attached by means of a rivet 32 to the bight 28' at the center rear 33' of the back edge 19 of the shelf 15. As shown in Figure 6 the guide31 is a substantial- 1y fiat member which is attached to the frame 16 between two rods 26 and includes a substantially rectangular portion 34 which extends below the bottom edge 35 of the shelf. There is a horizontal rib. 31a on guide 31 which abuts the flange 30 of the frame 16' and assists in rigidifying the guide 31. This downwardly extending rectangular portion 34' has a rectangular opening therein. The guide 31 and its functions will be more fully described. below.

Intermediate the ends of' the rods or wires 26 and attached rigidly thereto is a transverse brace 37. which extends completely across the shelf 15 between the ends 17 and 18. and, is. secured, at either end thereof to, the frame 16.

In a preferred embodiment-of the present 75 invention this brace 37 is substantially parallel to the front edge 20, is nearer the back edge 19; but yet is in horizontal spaced relationship thereto. A guide rod 38 extends from the brace 37 at a central point 39 to the front 20 of the shelf 15 through the rear leg 23 of the front channel 21 and is rigidly. attached thereto at the approximate center 40. Guide rod 38 is substantially parallel to rods 26 but lies b low hem and in space 27 between them. This horizontal and vertical displacement of guide rod 33.relative to the rods 26 is sufii'cient to accommodate guide 41' which slides. on the guide rod 38. During the assembly of the shelf 15 the rod. 38 is inserted through a hole 42 in the transverse brace 37, through a hole 43 in the guide 41, and then through a hole 44 in the rear leg 23. The rod 38, may, of course, be maintained in the desired position by any number of suitable means and it is here shown for illustration purposes only as haying ahead 45 and a riveted or pinched end. 461m. hold it securely in position. The guide. 41 together with the guide rod 38, the; rear guide 31, and their interrelationship will be more fully explained subsequently.

A pair of lateral supports47 and 48 are oppositely disposedinthe side walls 49'and.5.0. respectively of the inner liner 12 and. are attached thereto. by any suitable means such as for instance a commercial fastener 51 and 52 whichextends through the liner 12 and into the insulation 14. The support 47 carries a transverse slot 53 on its upper side 54. approximately parallel to the side walls 49-and50 of the. liner 12. The slot 53. has a fiat bottom 55; and arcuate sidewalls. 56 and 57. The end 17 of the shelf 15 slides in the transverse slot 53, and more particularly the bottom flange 30: of the channel frame 16 slides. on the flat bottom.55 with lateral displacement pre vented by the arcuate side walls 56 and 57.. The opposite. lateral support. 48.. and which is horizontally aligned is dissimilar to the support 47. The lateral support 48. has. no. slots. or grooves and. presents only asmooth fiat surface58 on its. top side 59 and on which the bottom flange 30; of the. channel frame 16 slides. The surface 58 andthe, flat bottom 55 are at substantially the same level thereby supporting the shelf 15 in a horizontal position.. In preferred form both. lateral supports 47 and 48 are. made. from nylon or other suitable plastic material. Asshowninboth Figuresl and 2 this pair of lateral supports. 47. and. 48 are located in the forward area of the food storage compartment 13. near the front access opening 11. When the shelf 15 is positioned within the cabinet completely the supports 47 and 48v lie approximately adjacent the rear leg 23 of the front channel 21.

A pair of pinions 60 and 61 are oppositely disposed and rigidly attached to-the side walls 49 and 50-. ofthe liner 12 .and. lieabove the plane of the shelf 15. Each pinion may. be of. the same configuration and in a preferred embodiment consists of a circular post 62' with a flanged base 63- andv fastening means 64 extending to the liner 12. However, the pinion. 61 is. longer than pinion 60, being approximately the same length as lateral support 48. It is only. when. the shelf 15 is in a partially or completely extendedposition suchas shown in- Figure 2 that the pinions 61. and 62.function asshelf supports. They are also made of'plastic, nylon, or other suitable material and are attached. to the liner 12: above and inwardly relative to the. lateral. supports 47- and 48. The exact location. of. pinions 60.. and 61-. is determined depending upon the amount of displacementof the shelf 15. from the compartment 13. In any event, it is necessary. that; the pinions 60 and. 61 serve asshelf supports and engage the frame 16in the most extended position of the shelf 15.

In the center 65' of the back wall 66. of the inner liner 12a channel guide member. 67 isreleasably attached to a support 68.. which is, rigidly. secured. to the back wall. 66.

The, sppport 68 ,.is. notched at 69 and 70 to. accommodate. he flanges: 7.1 and 7.2 espe t v x' he h nn l gu d mexubetel. Integ al w 't e lJRR I 6.8 s an upwardly extending rectangular projection 73 which in the assembled position extends through an opening 74 in the web 75 of the channel guide member 67. In order to accomplish this assembly it is necessary to bias the channel guide member downwardly over the projection 73. To disassemble, it is necessary to exert a positive upward force to disengage the opening 74 from the projection 73. This feature prevents any inadvertent displacement or disassembly at this point which could be critical when the shelf is loaded and is used under normal conditions. The channel guide member 67 extends through the rectangular opening 36 in the guide 31 which has been previously described as being at the center rear edge 33 of the shelf with the rectangular portion 34 extending below the bottom edge 35 of the shelf. The guide 41 previously described is attached to the forward end 76 of the channel guide member 67 by means of a rivet 77 or other suitable means. As shown in Figure 7 the guide 41 has a recess 78 into which the channel guide member seats and is rigidly attached. The forward fiat portion 79 integral with the guide 41 covers the forward end 76 presenting a pleasing appearance and also carries the hole 43 through which is assembled the guide rod 38 as previously described. It is desirable that all supports and all guides comprising a part of this invention be constructed of nylon or suitable material which will provide for the ease of sliding of a metal member.

Having thus described the structure which comprises our invention it will be noted that the shelf 15 lies above the pair of lateral supports 47 and 48 and below the pair of oppositely disposed pinions 60 and 61. The support 63 and the channel guide member 67 also lie below the shelf 15 and in approximately the same plane as the lateral supports 47 and 48. In any event the location and the interrelationship of the pinions and all supports are such that the shelf 15 is maintained in a substantially horizontal position when located completely within the cabinet, and in the completely extended position as shown in Figure 2, or at any position therebetween. When the shelf 15 is positioned completely within the food compartment 13 it is suspended at three points, 80, 81, and S2, and when in the extended position it is maintained in a horizontal position by an upward force exerted by the supports 47 and 48 and by an equal and opposite downward force exerted by the pinions 60 and 61 which have now become shelf supports in a sense, and perhaps partially by a force at the central portion of the shelf 15.

To facilitate the operation of the shelf 15 the channel guide member 67 which is releasably attached to the support 63 extends through the rectangular opening 36 in a comparatively snug, yet loose, fit in the guide 31. The guide 41 is rigidly attached to the forward end 76 of the channel guide member 67 and slidably engages the guide rod 38. When the shelf is pulled forwardly to the extended position as shown in Figure 2, the channel guide member remains stationary, with the guide 31 sliding on the member 67 and the guide rod 38 sliding through the hole 43 in the guide 41. This structure and assembly together with the transverse slot 53 is the means by which the shelf 15 is guided when it is moved to the extended position or to a position completely within the food compartment 13.

Tests have proven that the shelf 15 may be laden with food as in normal usage and will operate with great ease, neither binding nor wedging regardless of where the force for moving the shelf is applied. The shelf 15 may be pushed or pulled at any point along the front edge 21) and it will operate with equal facility. By our invention we have eliminated the use of rollers, wheels, and moving parts on the edges of the shelf which frequently operate in tracks horizontally disposed on the inner liner in conventional structures. In addition we have eliminated the use of the horizontal tracks which are in some respects objectionable and not infrequently 6 cause binding or wedging during movement of the shelf itself.

It will be noted that the lateral support 47 carries a transverse slot 53 while the support 48 has a smooth flat surface 58 at its top sides 59. This combination permits larger manufacturing variations in the liner 12 and still assures that the shelf 15 will fit conveniently into the food storage space 13 Without binding and without adjustment or servicing. The end 18 may slide at any point on the surface 58 between the extreme end 83 of the support 48 and to a point 84 adjacent the flat base 35.

Since tracks and other obstructions are eliminated by this novel combination air can circulate more freely throughout the cabinet and between the edges of the shelf 15 and liner 12. In addition our invention provides for an extremely quiet operation, there being no metal to metal contact and all the sliding guide members being in relatively snug, yet loose, association thereby providing a noiseless construction.

If it is found necessary to remove the shelf 15 when cleaning the liner 12 it is necessary only to disengage the projection 73 from the opening 74 by raising the channel guide member 67 upwardly and moving it forwardly. Once this has been accomplished the shelf 15 may be pulled forwardly from the cabinet 10. When assembled and when the projection 73 is inserted within the opening 74 the shelf 15 is limited in its amount of sliding displacement by means of the guide 41 at the forward end of the channel guide member 67. The rear flat side 86 abuts the forward side 87 and the transverse brace 37 thereby preventing further forward movement of the shelf 15 from the food storage compartment 13.

'It is of course understood that we have described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention and that there are other variations which may be utilized without departing from our novel concepts. It is there fore our intention that this invention be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a cabinet having rear and side walls, a slidable shelf comprising a substantially rectangular member having a front and rear edge and connecting ends, frame means defining said rear edge and ends, a substantially flat reinforcing means along the front edge of said shelf, a transverse bracing member remote from and parallel to said front edge, first guide means perpendicular to and rigidly attached to said reinforcing means and said bracing member intermediate the ends thereof, a first pair of lateral supports horizontally aligned and oppositely disposed on said side walls lying above said shelf, a second pair of lateral supports oppositely disposed on said side walls lying below said shelf, said sec ond supports being both vertically and horizontally offset relative to said first supports, a third support attached to said rear wall and extending forwardly through a second guide means on the rear of said frame, third guide means on the extreme end of said third support slidably embracing said first guide means whereby said shelf is slidably mounted within said cabinet and may be moved when using without binding and wedging.

2. A removable shelf in a cabinet having rear and side walls, first lateral supports oppositely disposed in said side walls, said first supports comprising latenally extending protrusions horizontally aligned above said shelf, second supports comprising a first member and a second member horizontally aligned below said shelf, said first member having a transverse slot therein, a portion of said shelf slidably positioned within said slot, said second member having a smooth top surface for slidably engaging a portion of said shelf, whereby in manufacturing a wide variation of tolerances is permitted without causing binding in the sliding of said shelf, a third support comprising an elongated member having an attached and remote end, said attached. end releasably engaging a central member on said rear wall, first slidable. guide means on said remote end of said third support and engaging a portion of said shelf, second slidable guide means carried on said shelf and engaging said third support intermediate its ends.

3. In a cabinet having an access opening therein and sidewalls and a rear wall, a sliding shelf support structure comprising in combination, first, second and third support means, all of said means being rigid relative to said. shelf, said first and second means laterally disposed in said side walls, guide means integral with one of said second support means, said third support means comprising a forwardly extending horizontal member having a remote. end, an opposite end releasably attached to said rear wall, integral guide and abutment means onsaidremote end of said third support means, integral guide and. support means on said shelf whereby said shelf may be removed a predetermined amount through said access opening.

4.,The structure as described in claim 3, attachment means in said rear wall, said third support being biased into. releasable association with said attachment means, whereby inadvertent displacement and. rattle free construction is provided.

5.. In a refrigerator cabinet having side walls and a rear wall, a removable shelf and support structure comprising in combination a shelf and first, second and third support means, said first and second means laterally disposed and slidably engaging said shelf above and below respectively, one of said second support means having a guide means integral therewith, a plug attached to said rear wall intermedaite said side walls, said plug having an upward protrusion thereon, said third support means comprising an elongated member having a hole in a first end for engaging said upward protrusion, rigid abutment and guide means on a second end remote from said rear wall, a guide rod comprising a portion of, said: shelf. and extending through; said integral; guide and abutment. means, a reinforcing. member comprising. a. portion of; said; shelf and perpendicularly disposed relative. said guide: wire and connected thereto, guide means. carriedon the rear edge of said shelf and slidably engaging said. elongated member, said third support.

means biased upwardly to position said upward protrusion. within said hole, whereby said shelf may be removed for cleaning. and whereby said shelf is slidably mounted relative tosaid first, second, and third support members and said cabinet.

6. in combination; with a refrigerator cabinet, :1 removable shelf assembly, comprising a substantially rectangular member, rear and. side walls on said cabinet, lateral'support means for said shelf. extending from said side walls, said lateral. support means comprising oppositely disposed first supports above said shelf, oppositely disposed second supports below said shelf comprising a first member. and asecond member oppositely disposed andhorizontally aligned, said first member having a transverse slot therein normal to the longitudinal axis thereof and said second member having a smooth top surface, said shelf being slidably mounted in said slot and on said smooth top surface, and a third support removably attached to said rear wall and movably attached to said shelf.

7. The structure as described in claim 6, said third support comprising an elongated member attached to said rear wall and-slidably engaging said shelf, said elongated member having abutment means at its extreme end thereby providing a stop whereby the horizontal movement ofsaid; shelf is limited.

References Cited in; the file of this patent UNITED, STATES. PATENTS 

